Nuclear Stress Testing

A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to your heart at rest and while your heart is working harder as a result of exertion or medication. The test provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and damaged heart muscle. The test usually involves taking two sets of images of your heart — one while you're at rest and another after you heart is stressed, either by exercise or medication. You may be given a nuclear stress test, which involves injecting a radioactive dye into your bloodstream, if your doctor suspects you have coronary artery disease or if a routine stress test didn't pinpoint the cause of symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test may also be used to guide your treatment if you've been diagnosed with a heart condition. [...]

Sports Physicals

What Is a Sports Physical? In the sports medicine field, the sports physical exam is known as a preparticipation physical examination (PPE). The exam helps determine whether it's safe for you to participate in a particular sport. Most states actually require that kids and teens have a sports physical before they can start a new sport or begin a new competitive season. But even if a PPE isn't required, doctors still highly recommend getting one. The two main parts to a sports physical are the medical history and the physical exam. Medical History This part of the exam includes questions about: serious illnesses among other family members illnesses that you had when you were younger or may have now, such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy previous hospitalizations or surgeries allergies (to insect bites, for example) past injuries (including concussions, sprains, or bone fractures) whether you've ever passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain, or had trouble breathing during exercise any medications that you are on (including over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and prescription medications) The medical history questions are usually on a form that you can bring home, [...]

Preventive Cardiology

Preventive Cardiology helps those who already have heart and vascular disease and those who are at high risk of developing it. Programs include nutritional services, prescriptive exercise programs, stress testing, multiple cardiovascular risk reduction programs, peripheral vascular rehabilitation program in collaboration with Vascular Medicine, comprehensive cardiovascular care for women, and educational programs for patients and healthcare providers. The Section of Preventive Cardiology & Rehabilitation consist of five programs that treat patients who are at risk for cardiovascular disease and/or those who have had a cardiovascular event: These programs promote optimal life-style changes and medical management to: Prevent the occurrence and/or progression of cardiovascular disease Reduce the risk of future heart attack or stroke Reduce the need for future surgery Enhance quality of life by reducing symptoms [...]

ECG

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. How the Test is Performed You will be asked to lie down. The health care provider will clean several areas on your arms, legs, and chest, and then will attach small patches called electrodes to those areas. It may be necessary to shave or clip some hair so the patches stick to the skin. The number of patches used may vary. The patches are connected by wires to a machine that turns the heart's electrical signals into wavy lines, which are often printed on paper. The doctor reviews the test results. You will need to remain still during the procedure. The health care provider may also ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds as the test is being done. It is important to be relaxed and warm during an ECG recording because any movement, including shivering, can alter the results. Sometimes this test is done while you are exercising or under light stress to look for changes in the heart. This type of ECG is often called a stress test. How to Prepare for the Test Make sure your health care provider knows about all the medicines you are taking. Some drugs can interfere with test results. D [...]

Weight Loss

Why do I need to lose weight if I am overweight? Being overweight increases your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. If you are overweight, losing just 5 to 10% of your weight and keeping it off lowers your risk for developing most of these diseases. Your healthcare provider can give you a good sense of whether you have an increased risk of health problems because of your weight. What can I do to lose weight? Changes that will help you lose weight include: a better understanding of your own health healthier eating habits a plan for rewards for following your program to lose weight more physical activity Diets for losing weight involve: making smart choices from every food group: fruits, vegetables, grains, milk products, meat, and fats finding a balance between how much food you eat and how much exercise you get getting the most nutrition out of your calories. If you are trying to lose weight, this most often means eating fewer calories and avoiding some foods. A weight loss diet needs to give enough nutrition and a good variety of satisfying foods as well as fewer calories. What works best is a gradual [...]

Nutrition Counseling

Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. As solution-focused nutrition counselors, our goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand your relationship with food. Whether you suffer from diabetes, gastrointestinal conditions or an eating disorder, we can help. From the pediatric population to adulthood, we work with individuals and families. By evaluating how food plays a role in your day-to-day life, together we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling, meaningful and healthy life. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction, we look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. [...]

Internal Medicine

What's an "Internist"? Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. At least three of their seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training are dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect adults. Internists are sometimes referred to as the "doctor's doctor," because they are often called upon to act as consultants to other physicians to help solve puzzling diagnostic problems. Simply put, internists are Doctors of Internal Medicine. You may see them referred to by several terms, including "internists," "general internists" and "doctors of internal medicine." But don't mistake them with "interns," who are doctors in their first year of residency training. Although internists may act as primary care physicians, they are not "family physicians," "family practitioners," or "general practitioners," whose training is not solely concentrated on adults and may include surgery, obstetrics and pediatrics. [...]

Vein Treatment

In some women, spider veins – those small clusters of red, blue, or purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves, and ankles – become noticeable at a young age. For others, the veins may not become obvious until much later. A number of factors may contribute to the development of spider veins in the legs, including: Heredity Hormonal shifts Occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing Pregnancy Weight fluctuation There are effective, safe and relatively painless methods available for reducing spider veins. [...]

Clinical Trial Research

Clinical research is research that directly involves a particular person or group of people, or that uses materials from humans, such as their behavior or samples of their tissue. A clinical trial is one type of clinical research that follows a pre-defined plan or protocol. By taking part in clinical trials, participants can not only play a more active role in their own health care, but they can also access new treatments and help others by contributing to medical research. The NICHD is involved in all aspects of clinical trials and clinical research. Select a link on the left to learn more. Thinking about taking part in a clinical trial? Then select the Find Clinical Trials link to find out what clinical trials are being conducted on a certain health topic or condition and whether you can get involved. [...]